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How to paint a unit quickly?`

Discussion in 'Painting and Converting' started by gapton, Sep 4, 2013.

  1. gapton
    Saurus

    gapton Member

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    When it comes to painting an entire unit, what techniques do you use to save time?

    I am happy with small characters models that I spent around 4-6 hours on completing.

    However I can never afford 40-60 hours when painting a unit of 10 Skink!!

    What are the best time saving techniques out there? I usually prime>base>wash>detail>highlight

    Some say washing AFTER highlight would subtly blend the highlights. However I am struggling a bit to find a good routine to follow.

    Or do you just base + drybrush everything and be done with it lol? I don't really like the roughness of dry brushing. It creates a really foggy feeling, almost like the model has mold grown on it.
     
    gapton, Sep 4, 2013
    #1
  2. Arli
    Skink Priest

    Arli Moderator Staff Member

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    I set up an assembly line for painting. I get every color that I will need and put it on a pallette. I use a wet pallette now which makes this work much better.

    I have everything painted with the closest color to the end color (with primer if possible). For example, all my skinks are based on a white paint scheme. I sit down and paint every javelin/blowpipe in the unit, then I paint all the eyes, then the tounges....

    You get the idea. finally, I paint on Army painter mid tone dip. This acts as both a wash and a sealant. Also, i like the shine that the end result has on the skinks. It makes them look wet.

    Once that is done, I go about the same process with the bases (excluding the dip).
     
    Arli, Sep 4, 2013
    #2
  3. gapton
    Saurus

    gapton Member

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    Yeah I use a wet palette and that has made a massive difference. Especially when creating a smooth blend.

    For characters I have at least 5 levels of shades. Shadow, Mid tone, lighter mid tone, highlight and ultra highlight

    When painting a unit however, I cannot paint 5 layers on all models so I chose....3? but the results are not very satisfying. It should have been Shadow > Mid > Highlight

    However I always find it either (1) not well-blended or (2) too little overall contrast
     
    gapton, Sep 4, 2013
    #3
  4. thedanman13
    Skink

    thedanman13 New Member

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    Sorry to sound like an idiot but may I ask what a wet pallette is? :p I'm assuming it's something to do with paints laid out on a palette with water :L
     
    thedanman13, Sep 4, 2013
    #4
  5. n810
    Slann

    n810 First Spawning

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    Also there is a sponge and a bit of baking parchment paper.
    personally I just use a regular palette. :shifty:
     
    n810, Sep 4, 2013
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  6. thedanman13
    Skink

    thedanman13 New Member

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    What are the sponge and paper for? :S
     
    thedanman13, Sep 5, 2013
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  7. n810
    Slann

    n810 First Spawning

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    n810, Sep 5, 2013
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  8. Arli
    Skink Priest

    Arli Moderator Staff Member

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    Arli, Sep 5, 2013
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  9. Old Mossy
    Bastiladon

    Old Mossy Active Member

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    My favoured way of doing a unit is base coat every part (including tongues/eyes/etc.), then highlight, then wash. The wash will blend the highlight and base coat a little, enough for my preference. You may want to base coat ever so slightly brighter/lighter than you normally would.
    As a final step, I touch up each model, doing some quick additional highlights if they're necessary.

    I guess the trick is trying different methods, and seeing what suits your preferences for quality and time.
     
    Old Mossy, Sep 5, 2013
    #9

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